Predicting 49ers starting lineup after 2020 NFL Draft

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and the San Francisco 49ers run into the locker room for halftime against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and the San Francisco 49ers run into the locker room for halftime against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Fred Warner, 49ers
Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

MIKE: Fred Warner

WILL: Kwon Alexander

SAM: Dre Greenlaw

The 49ers developed one of the better linebacker trios in the NFL last season, thanks largely to the emergence of 2019 fifth-round NFL Draft choice Dre Greenlaw.

Greenlaw’s ascent, thanks to veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander‘s elongated pectoral injury, assures the Niners they’ll have a deep and potent rotation throughout the course of the upcoming season as long as everyone remains healthy.

As far as the positions go, San Francisco made it so the three linebacker spots — MIKE, WILL and SAM — were much more interchangeable than they were under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh the previous two seasons.

Instead of the strong-side backer being up on the line of scrimmage, the three will play back in a traditional stack role.

There’s little reason to remove the defensive play-calling duties from third-year pro Fred Warner.